British Transport Police has renewed its call for
vigilance by the public against possible terrorist attacks in London.
As part of the continuing Government campaign against the threat from terrorism,
police have stepped up patrols on the London Underground system including,
for the first time, deploying plain clothes counter terrorist patrols to key
locations. These measures were taken before Thursday's bomb explosions in
Madrid and are not connected.
‘This is a joint operation involving BTP, the Metropolitan Police, City of London Police and Transport for London,'
explained Deputy Chief Constable Andy Trotter from the British Transport Police.
‘I must emphasize that we have received no specific threat to the London
Underground or rail system, nevertheless, the threat from terrorism remains
very real as the events in Madrid show.
‘London is on a high level of alert and the London Underground system is
controlled public space, with hundreds of staff at stations, extensive CCTV
coverage and its own dedicated police resources. A further, crucial element
is the vigilance of customers. With three million travelling every day, they
can provide millions of eyes and ears across the whole system.
‘We have an active security regime in place on the Underground involving
police, London Underground staff and management, a regime that is frequently
changed as security measures are under constant review. These new policing
initiatives and our appeal to passengers are part of that.'
Police are appealing to passengers to be pro-active in reporting anything
suspicious, asking other passengers if they see an item they believe to be
unattended - “Who owns this bag?” - and reporting it immediately to London
Underground staff or police if it is unclaimed. Posters will be appearing
on the London Underground system this week.
As part of the security regime, passengers may see police officers conducting
”stop and search” procedures on stations. If passengers are subject to such
searches, we would ask them to be patient in supporting the continuing fight
against terrorism.
These measures come as leading security experts from Metro systems around
the world met in London last week to review methods of combating terrorism
at a conference hosted by the BTP, London Underground and its infrastructure
partners Metronet and Tube
Lines.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke, Head of the Metropolitan Police's
Anti-Terrorist Branch, said: ‘The despicable attacks in Madrid show only too
clearly that the threat from terrorism remains very real. London continues
to be on a high level of alert and security across the capital remains under
constant review.
‘We will do whatever is necessary to protect the public from harm. Public
vigilance is vital at all times, not only when travelling on the Tube or rail
network.'
Anyone with information about terrorist activity can contact the free, confidential
Anti-Terrorism hotline on 0800 789 321. In an emergency dial 999
